Akola: Fort History and Temples

Akola combines a direct connection to the city’s history with religious sites: the fort is in the old town on the west bank of the Morna, and Salasar Balaji Temple is in Ganga Nagar. The Akola district also offers topics such as a group of small forts, historic caves, trekking and weaving. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing between the city’s attractions and the regional highlights, and first deciding what interests you most.

Old Town: Fort and Azad Park

The fort in Akola’s old town is on the west bank of the Morna. In 1957, the city council repaired and rebuilt the site; the work cost 1.5 lakh rupees. This gives the fort a specific historical connection to the city administration and a municipal restoration project. The city council also laid out a park called Azad Park within the fort. The fort and park are directly connected spatially and together form an Akola highlight that combines city history and municipal planning. If you are primarily interested in historic places and the city’s development, these two features are a good starting point for choosing what to explore.

Salasar Balaji Temple in Ganga Nagar

Salasar Balaji Temple in Ganga Nagar was established in 2014. It houses the images of Shri Hanumanji, Shri Ram Darbar, Shri Radhakrishna and Shri Shiv Parivar. These four names give the site a clear religious focus and distinguish it from the fort and its urban history. When deciding what to visit, you can choose whether to focus more on the history of the fort and Azad Park or on the temple’s religious associations.

In Akola District: Forts, Caves and Temples

Narnala is in Akot taluka in Akola district and consists of three small forts: Zafarabad Fort, also known as Jafarabad, in the east; Narnala in the centre; and Teliagarh in the west. This is a different fort complex from the fort in Akola’s old town: here, the focus is on the three named forts and their east–centre–west arrangement. The route to Narnala Fort is a popular trekking route in Akola district.

Another historical site is the Patur Caves, in Patur taluka in Akola district, on State Highway 194 and opposite Renuka Mata Temple. Rajeshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is also in the centre of Akola. Bala Devi Temple lies directly below Balapur Fort, on its southern side. The religious and historical sites are spread across Akola city and the wider district: Rajeshwar Temple is in the city centre; the Patur Caves are in Patur taluka in Akola district; and Bala Devi Temple is directly below Balapur Fort, on its southern side.

Crafts and Choosing Your Holiday Rental

Visitors can explore weaving centres in Akola and buy handwoven cotton fabrics and shawls. Check before travelling whether the centre you plan to visit is open. When choosing a holiday rental in Akola, it helps to set clear priorities: focus on the city’s fort history and religious sites, or include regional highlights such as Narnala, Patur and weaving? Making a list of the places that matter most to you will make it easier to compare them with the location of your accommodation. If you are travelling with children, you can weigh up the different options together and tailor your plans to your group’s interests.

Discover more destinations: Kanadi.

Return to the main travel overview: Akola.